On 2nd February 1878, Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul was born at Lahill House, outside Upper Largo. Her parents were Major Robert Rintoul and Margaret Jeffrey, daughter of linen manufacturer John Jeffrey (who resided at Balsusney House, Kirkcaldy). Miss Rintoul's parents had been married at Largo House in 1874 (John Jeffrey having rented Largo House for over a decade in his retirement). Young Leonora had a private education and also travelled on the continent. Her love of natural history developed and this was no doubt influenced by her grandfather, John Jeffrey, who himself studied plants in his spare time and published a book about trees and shrubs of Fife. Her specialism became ornithology and her collaboration with Evelyn Baxter in this area would become extremely influential in the field. In the obituary notice published after her death in Ibis, the Journal of Avian Science, it was stated that:
"Nothing pleased Miss Rintoul more than to visit a new part of Scotland and make the acquaintance of fresh birds and, no matter how strenuous the walking might be, or how inclement the weather, she was always cheerful; indeed it was characteristic of her to get the very most out of life. In the course of her long life she studied birds throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, and there were few of the rarer breeding species she was not acquainted with."
Between 1907 and 1933 Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter would spend time on the Isle of May during both Spring and Autumn migrations. As previously mentioned in earlier posts she would become instrumental in the founding of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club and would publish several works with Evelyn Baxter.
"Nothing pleased Miss Rintoul more than to visit a new part of Scotland and make the acquaintance of fresh birds and, no matter how strenuous the walking might be, or how inclement the weather, she was always cheerful; indeed it was characteristic of her to get the very most out of life. In the course of her long life she studied birds throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, and there were few of the rarer breeding species she was not acquainted with."
Between 1907 and 1933 Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter would spend time on the Isle of May during both Spring and Autumn migrations. As previously mentioned in earlier posts she would become instrumental in the founding of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club and would publish several works with Evelyn Baxter.
Miss Rintoul was also extremely active in the work of the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes, as an office bearer, as a judge and as a lecturer. A feature in the Dundee Courier of 26 July 1937 described how she had "held almost every office in the W.R.I. movement that it is possible to hold" and how her "boundless enthusiasm for whatever she takes up has the happy knack of enthusing others." Under the W.R.I. name she would co-ordinate the creation of the 'Largo Village Book' of 1932, which would prove so informative over the decades since its publication for those interested in the history of the area. She was also president of the Newburn Parish Church Women's Guild and was involved in many other voluntary activities, including during the two wars.
Sadly, Leonora Rintoul would die shortly before the actual publication of her landmark two volume work on 'The Birds of Scotland - Their History, Distribution and Migration' authorised jointly with Evelyn Baxter. However, this work continues to act as a monument to her name. She passed away at her home in Upper Largo, named 'Balsusney', after her mother's childhood home in Kirkcaldy, situated just yards away from Miss Baxter's home 'The Grove'. Her death on May 22 1953 apparently took place the day after she had taken a drive, which she had enjoyed immensely, around old haunts with her dear friend Miss Baxter.
Sadly, Leonora Rintoul would die shortly before the actual publication of her landmark two volume work on 'The Birds of Scotland - Their History, Distribution and Migration' authorised jointly with Evelyn Baxter. However, this work continues to act as a monument to her name. She passed away at her home in Upper Largo, named 'Balsusney', after her mother's childhood home in Kirkcaldy, situated just yards away from Miss Baxter's home 'The Grove'. Her death on May 22 1953 apparently took place the day after she had taken a drive, which she had enjoyed immensely, around old haunts with her dear friend Miss Baxter.
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